Older Primary Lesson Plan: Exodus 35–40;Leviticus 1;4;16;19

Opening Connection (3–5 minutes): “A Special Place + A Willing Heart”

Hold up a small, clean cloth (or a paper heart). Ask: “If you were going to make a very special place for the Lord, what would you want it to be like?” Let children answer (clean, peaceful, respectful).

Explain simply: In this week’s scriptures, the Lord helped Israel build a holy place (the tabernacle) and taught them how to become holy. Share the Lord’s invitation:

“Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the Lord your God am holy.” (Leviticus 19:2)

Tell the children: “The Lord wants to help us become holy too.”

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Scripture Discovery (10–12 minutes): Finding “Willing Hearts” and “Holy Places”

1) Partner Reading: Offerings with a willing heart

Have children pair up and read Exodus 35:20–22. Ask them to listen for what the people did.

“And all the congregation of the children of Israel departed from the presence of Moses.” (Exodus 35:20) “And they came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit made willing, and they brought the Lord’s offering to the work of the tabernacle of the congregation…” (Exodus 35:21) “And they came, both men and women, as many as were willing hearted…” (Exodus 35:22)

Ask:

• “What words describe their hearts?” (stirred up, willing)
• “What did they do because they were willing?”

2) Quick Scripture Peek: The Lord’s presence in the tabernacle

Read Exodus 40:34 together:

“Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.” (Exodus 40:34)

Ask:

• “How do you think the people felt when the Lord’s glory filled the tabernacle?”
• “What places help you feel closer to the Lord today?”

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Core Gospel Principles (5–7 minutes): 3 Truths the Lord Teaches

1. The Lord asks for willing hearts. Israel gave offerings because their “spirit made willing” (Exodus 35:21).

2. Holy places help us feel the Lord’s presence. The tabernacle became a place where “the glory of the Lord filled” it (Exodus 40:34).

3. The Lord teaches holiness through Jesus Christ. The Come, Follow Me bundle teaches that sacrifices and the tabernacle were meant “to point their minds, hearts, and lives toward the Savior,” and it quotes the Savior’s promise:

“I am able to make you holy” (Doctrine and Covenants 60:7, as quoted in the bundle introduction).

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Interactive Learning Activities (20–25 minutes total)

Activity 1: “Willing Heart Toss” (Game)

Type: Games Materials: Paper hearts (or sticky notes), a small basket/cup, marker

Steps:

1. Write simple “offerings” on paper hearts: help at home, be kind, pray, tell the truth, include someone, read scriptures, forgive.
2. Put the basket a few steps away.
3. One at a time, children choose a heart, read it aloud, and toss it into the basket.
4. After each toss, ask: “Would that be a willing-heart offering?”

Connection to scripture: The people came “whose spirit made willing” and “brought the Lord’s offering” (Exodus 35:21–22).

Discussion questions:

• “What does a willing heart look like at school?”
• “Which ‘offering’ feels hardest? How can the Lord help?”

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Activity 2: “Build the Tabernacle Map” (Hands-On Craft)

Type: Hands-On Crafts Materials: Paper, crayons/colored pencils; optional: simple cut-out rectangles/circles

Steps:

1. Give each child a paper and have them draw a simple “tabernacle place”: an outer boundary and a special center spot.
2. Tell them to add three symbols (simple drawings) that remind them of what the tabernacle teaches (examples from the bundle: lampstand = light; laver/basin = clean; altar = sacrifice).
3. Under each symbol, children write a short phrase: “Jesus is my light,” “Jesus helps me be clean,” “Jesus sacrificed for me.”

Connection to scripture: The tabernacle was a real holy place, and “the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle” (Exodus 40:34). The bundle explains that these items “point their minds, hearts, and lives toward the Savior.”

Discussion questions:

• “Which symbol helps you think about Jesus Christ the most?”
• “How can our homes become more like holy places?”

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Activity 3: “Freeze-Frame Holy Choices” (Role-Play & Acting)

Type: Role-Play & Acting Materials: Scenario strips (teacher reads aloud is fine)

Steps:

1. Explain: “Leviticus 19 teaches God’s people ways to live holy lives.”
2. Read the commandment together:

“Ye shall be holy: for I the Lord your God am holy.” (Leviticus 19:2)

3. Give short scenarios (choose 4–5). Example situations:

• A friend is left out at recess.
• Someone dares you to say something mean.
• You forgot to do a chore and want to blame a sibling.
• You feel prompted to pray but want to play instead.

4. For each scenario, have 2–3 children make a freeze-frame of the “holy choice.” Class guesses what’s happening and what the holy choice is.

Connection to scripture: Holiness isn’t only a place, it’s how we choose to live (Leviticus 19:2).

Discussion questions:

• “What makes a choice ‘holy’?”
• “How do willing hearts help us choose the right?”

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Life Application Bridge (3–5 minutes): Bringing Holiness into Real Life

Ask: “Where do you want to have a more willing heart this week, home, school, or with friends?” Invite 2–3 children to share one specific place.

Remind them: Israel built a holy place and offered willingly (Exodus 35:21; Exodus 40:34). We can bring that same spirit into our lives by giving the Lord our best, our obedience, kindness, and honest trying.

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Testimony Time (2–4 minutes): Sharing Feelings

Ask quietly: “When have you felt closer to the Lord in a holy place, or when you made a willing-hearted choice?”

Bear simple testimony using the bundle’s promise: The Savior points us toward holiness and has promised, “I am able to make you holy” (Doctrine and Covenants 60:7, as quoted in the bundle introduction). Invite any child who wants to share a feeling about Jesus Christ helping them.

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Take-Home Challenge (1 minute): “One Willing-Heart Offering”

Give each child one paper heart (or have them draw one). Challenge: “This week, choose one willing-heart offering to do each day.” Remind them of the scripture phrase:

“Every one whose heart stirred him up… and every one whom his spirit made willing” (Exodus 35:21)

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Teacher Tips

• Keep transitions quick: After each activity, ask one focused question and move on to maintain energy.
• Support different learners: Let shy children participate by holding a heart, drawing symbols, or choosing the freeze-frame “holy choice” without acting.

Note: If children ask detailed questions about temple ordinances: “This is sacred and personal, please speak with your bishop or refer to the temple recommend questions.”